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Before
His ascension Jesus appeared to the disciples in their
room, breathed on them and said: “Receive ye the Holy
Ghost” and in the same breath He also said: “Whosesoever
sin you remit they are remitted unto them and
whosesoever sin you retain they are retained” (John
20:22-23).
The whole of Capernaum heard that Jesus was in the
house, soon many were gathered to hear Jesus preaching.
And there came certain people carrying a man sick of the
palsy to be healed. Since there was no passage to carry
him inside to Jesus, they climbed up and uncovered the
roof and let down the bed wherein the sick man lay.
Jesus saw their faith and said to the sick man, “Son,
your sins are forgiven you” (Mark 2:1-5). The scribes
who were sitting there reasoned within themselves, “why
does this man speak blasphemies, who can forgive sins
but God only? Jesus perceived it in His spirit and asked
them as to why they reason these things in their heart
and said, “that you may know that the Son of man has
power on earth to forgive sins.” No, blasphemy,
blasphemy, they yelled!
Even today this perception of the scribes persists
within the believing Christian groups! In my long
Christian life I never came across a single preacher,
(servant of God) small or great, forgiving sins of a
sinner. I wonder, why? Is it blasphemy even today? Are
we not authorised to preach the gospel and baptise the
believer? Are we not authorised to bind or loose evil
power on earth? Are we not given the power of attorney
to do every work that Jesus did? Of course we do not see
anywhere in the New Testament that someone, apostles or
disciples, exercised this authority. Why? Is it because
people may misuse this authority without realising its
actual meaning and consequences? Or as in the case of
Jesus; three and a half years of ministry, Apostle John
writes: “and there are also many other things Jesus did,
the which, if they should be written everyone I suppose
that even the world itself could not contain the books
that are to be written” (John 21:25). If this is the
case with Jesus’ short period ministry then how much
more could be the works of His apostles who lived even
up to ninety years or more; if everything is written
where could it all contain? It may be one of the reasons
why all their works including ‘forgiving of sins’ etc.
are not mentioned in the New Testament.
For instance in Acts chapter nine we see Peter healing a
man sick of the palsy (Aeneas) for eight years. In fact
Peter who witnessed how Jesus healed a same sort of
sickness way back at Capernaum and who directly received
the command to forgive or retain sins might have
certainly forgiven that man’s sin instead of retaining
it.
Now, this ‘forgiving of sins’ is not to be equated with
that of some group of Christians who some time back made
money by selling entry passes (certificates) to their
laities to enter heaven. This article has nothing to do
with that hypocritical group! It is not a trial to fool
the people either, but is a sincere endeavour to follow
the command of Christ to somehow save at least a few
thousands with compassion, pulling them out of the fire
hating even the garment spotted by the flesh (Jude 23).
Is it a new gospel? Sorry, no. It is already in the
Bible. Is it a new teaching? Sorry, no. It is the
command of Jesus to forgive or retain sins of people
(John 20:23). Once a lawyer came to tempt Jesus and
asked: “Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
Jesus answered: What is written in the law and how you
read it?” (Luke 10:25-26). This question of Jesus is
very much relevant in the case also as to how we
interpret the Lord’s commands which in this case very
simple; forgiving sins or no to forgive sins.
Apostle Paul tells us “I have planted, Appollos watered
but God gave the increase; so then neither is he that
plant anything neither he the watered but God that
giveth the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:6-7). Here lies
the click, rather this is the mystery in each and every
Christian ministry or activity. We the saints pray for
the sick to be healed in Jesus’ name but to heal is
God’s business. We rebuke the devil to go in Jesus name
but casting out the devil in God’s business. We preach,
testify or pray for conversion of sinners but it is not
we who convert or work within the individual, it is God
who brings repentance to the sinner. In essence we do
nothing at all except to be a loaded gun in the hands of
God who holds the trigger. We have absolutely nothing to
boast as if we have performed something extraordinary.
Nothing at all, but fear God for He is a jealous God and
a consuming fire. He will never allow anyone to snatch
His glory neither man nor any image. God declares, “I am
the Lord that is my name, and my glory will I not give
to another neither may praise to graven images (Isaiah
42:8). We must, therefore, fear God in all our dealings
in the work of God, rather we must, as Moses did,
tremble before the Lord in doing His ministry.
So also forgiving sins of sinners, although we pronounce
on the authority of Jesus but obviously the forgiveness
is granted by God Himself. So, in the true sense it is
not man that forgives but God commands the Supreme
authority. So also, we are not to neglect the authority
bestowed on us. When He said: “whosesoever sins you
remit they are remitted unto them and whosesoever sins
you retain they are retained.” Isn’t it very simple to
understand? Or is it hard to digest? In my opinion it is
as clear as the sunlight. Then what is the confusion? Do
we take it literally as it is or has it got some
mysterious meaning? When we can accept or interpret so
many of Jesus’ teachings literally what is the hitch in
this case? I believe it should also be taken literally
and act accordingly.
See another promise of Jesus: “verily, verily I say unto
you he that believe on me the work that I do shall he do
also, and greater works than these shall he do because I
go unto my Father.” (John 14:12). This promise doesn’t
say it applies to only some specially anointed or
ordained ministers. We may set aside that notion because
it applies to each and every believer in Christ. Jesus’
works consisted of healing all manner of sickness,
casting out devils, raising the dead, cleansing lepers,
and other innumerable acts of deliverance from all works
of Satan including forgiving of sins of people as well
as accomplishing anything He undertook to do in the
material and spiritual realms. The promise is that each
believer can be endued with power and receive the Spirit
without measure so that he can do all the works of
Christ and even greater works that what He did. To make
this promise for spiritual works only when He did
material and spiritual works is a poor excuse for
unbelief, and to refer or limit it to the works of the
apostles will rob the other believers of the benefit of
the promise. As far as greater works that Christ is
concerned, the point is that each believer can have
equal power with Christ to do what He did as well as
greater things if and when the situation requires it.
Although not recorded, we may for sure believe that
Jesus must have forgiven the sins of the thief crucified
along with Him, otherwise how could that man enter into
paradise with Christ (being a sinner). Even so, the
apostle also must have forgiven sins of many people, but
unfortunately not made mention of them.
Now here is an instance where a few years ago, I uttered
forgiveness of sin to an elderly devour Hindu lady who
being critically ill was brought to the Sunday service
by her daughter, an unbeliever. The lady being a
resident of Delhi never heard about Jesus, although
hundreds of churches and thousands of Christians live an
work here day and night for souls to be won! Soon after
the service she was brought to the pulpit. She explained
all problems and agonies of the ailment she undergoes
everyday. I had great compassion on her and shared the
gospel with her. And suddenly I was moved by the Spirit
and uttered, “I forgive your sins on the authority of
Jesus,” then prayed.
Never before such a thing happened in my ministry. The
lady went back rejoicing but could not survive. On the
next Sunday morning came the news the she had passed
away. I was very sorry for her but delighted being
assured that the Lord took her to Himself as destined,
being forgiven of sins. I thank God for that. I think it
was the plan and will of God to remit her sins. The
thought of forgiving sins never occurred to me even
while I was sharing the gospel with the lady. In fact I
was so astonished as to what I said suddenly.
It reminded me that this might have been the key (power/
authority) that Jesus promised to Peter: “I will give
unto thee the keys of the Kingdom of heaven and
whatsoever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in
heaven and whatsoever you shall loose on earth shall be
loosed in heaven. The “whatsoever” might include
forgiving of sins, I suppose (Matthew 16:19). Jesus
declares: “Till heaven and earth pass one jot or one
tittle shall in no wise pass from the law till all be
fulfilled.” (Matthew 5:18). No other book on earth could
be so precious and perfect than the Holy Bible.
Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead
our Lord Jesus that great Shepherd of the sheep through
the blood of the everlasting covenant make you perfect
in every good work to do His will working in you that
which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus
Christ to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen (Hebrews
13: 20-21).
Editorial Note: The views expressed in this article
are those of the author. However, in view of the
fundamental nature of the matter discussed, PTA wishes
to make a statement regarding Jesus' commission:
A. By the authority to "forgive or retain sins," Peter
or other disciples were not given the absolute authority
to forgive anyone's sins.
B. Just as after a wedding, a minister proclaims that a
couple has become man and wife, preachers must declare
that the sins of those who repent are indeed forgiven.
Pronouncements are of no use until the person in
question responds positively to the gospel. Similarly,
the preacher may declare God's judgment on those who
refuse to repent.
C. There are scholars who believe that Jesus' commission
to Peter is actually referring to baptism. The goal of
early preaching was not to lead people to a sinner's
prayer but to baptism. Preachers of the gospel may
administer or refuse baptism to people, depending on
their response to the gospel.
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